New People, New DreamsAmanda Grewer

Write about a significant experience in your life.

“I think we’re lost,” I said to my parents as I stood on the corner of 114th Street and Broadway carrying a large bag of luggage. I stopped confused as to where I was going. I knew I was close; I could tell by the number of people wearing Columbia University t-shirts. I continued to walk down Broadway and at last I saw the iron gates with two gold crowns sitting on top of the black metal posts. As I made my way through the gates, I knew I had arrived at my destination. The freshly cut grass and blooming flowers filled the air and emotions started to run through me; I was nervous to be in New York City alone, yet anxious to be at such a prestigious university with the potential to learn so much about journalism.

Instead of relaxing for my first week of summer, I decided to increase my knowledge of journalism and attend CSPA’s Journalism workshop at Columbia University. At the time I arrived, I was unaware of the impact those five days would have on me. Being surrounded by so many people from all over the world, not only helped to increase my interest in the journalism field, but also taught me about different people as well as myself.

At the end of freshman year, I enrolled in journalism because I was looking for an extra English...